Devices for assisting in the bathing of babies and incapacitated persons

ABSTRACT

In this invention, a framework including a headrest and preferably a neck and shoulder rest and two hook formations so located with respect to the headrest as to enable the person&#39;&#39;s arms to be crooked over them, thereby confining the person on the headrest. The hook formations are hinged to the framework for movement toward and away from each other. Suitable means may be provided for anchoring the device in the bath, for example suction pads.

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,855,644

Benson Dec. 24, 1974 1 DEVICES FOR ASSISTING IN THE BATHING OF BABIESAND INCAPACITATED PERSONS Inventor: Donald Cyril Benson, 195 Spoor St.,

Vryheid, South Africa Filed: Oct. 30, 1973 Appl. No.: 410,984

Foreign Application Priority Data Mar 21, 1973 South Africa 73/1233 U.S.Cl. 4/185 B, 4/185 I-IB Int. Cl A47k 3/12 Field of Search 4/185 B, 185R, 185 A, 4/185 HB, 185 S, 185 L, 174; 128/66, 369; 5/66, 317 D, 327 B;297/384, 463

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1940 Haas 4/185 118 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 632,280 11/1936 Germany ..4/185B 544,131 10/1930Germany 4/185 AB Primary ExaminerI-Ienry K. Artis [57] ABSTRACT In thisinvention, a framework including a headrest and preferably a neck andshoulder rest and two hook formations so located with respect to theheadrest as to enable the persons arms to be crooked over them, therebyconfining the person on the headrest. The hook formations are hinged tothe framework for movement toward and away from each other. Suitablemeans may be provided for anchoring the device in the bath, for examplesuction pads.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures DEVICES FOR ASSISTING IN THE BATHING OFBABIES AND INCAPACITATED PERSONS The invention relates to devices forassisting in the bathing of incapacitated persons such as invalids andthe like.

The difficulties involved in bathing baby are known to all mothers. Theusual method adopted is to support the baby in the crook of one armwhile holding the opposite arm of the baby and then trying to accomplishthe washing performance with the other hand. Similar problems areencountered with the bathing of invalids.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device whichrevolutionizes the bathing operation by supporting the incapacitatedperson in a suitable, safe and stable position while attending to thewashing operation with both hands.

A device according to the invention includes a framework including ahead rest and preferably a neck and shoulder rest and two hookformations so located with respect to the headrest as to enable theperson's arms to be crooked over them, thereby confining the person onthe headrest. The hook formations should be long enough to prevent thebaby from disengaging his or her arm.

According to preferred feature the hook formations are hinged to theframework for movement towards and away from each other.

In addition, each hook formation may be associated with means to securethe arm more securely. For example, each hook may be articulated andreleasably lockable in a closed position.

Suction pads or similar means are preferably provided for anchoring thedevice in the bath.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates by way of example apreferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a device according to the invention forassisting in baby bathing;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, partly in section, of the device shown in FIG. I;and,

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

A base of channel construction provides two soc kets 12 into which fit apair of uprights 14 having at their upper ends tubular head rest members16.

The head rest members 16 each have a series of holes 18 through which islaced plastic tubing 20 to form the surface of a neck, shoulder and headrest (indicated generally at 22). To the forward ends of members 16 arehinged free swivelling hook formations 24. The details of the hingeconstruction is shown in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 1 adjacent either side and towards thefront the base 10 has two recesses in which are removably received apair of locating lugs 28 on the bottom of a member 30 which is adaptedto support the torso and buttocks of the baby. The member 30 is suitablycovered to support the baby by means of a sheet of plastic materialwhich may be provided with drainage orifices (not shown).

The base 10 is also equipped with a pair of suction pads 32 to anchorthe device in the bath.

In use the baby is positioned on the device with the head and shoulderson the head rest 22 and the torso and buttocks on the member 30. Thehook formations 24 are then moved towards each other and the babys armscrooked over the hook formations 24 with the portions '33 of the hookformations engaging in the arm pits of the baby. With the baby soconfined the mother will have no difficulty in bathing baby. Dependingon the growth and development of the baby, it will be found that the useof member 30 may be eventually dispensed with.

The device may be constructed of any suitable material but is preferablymade of a plastic material.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A device for supporting a person in a bathtub, comprised of a basemember including a top surface and a bottom surface for engagement withthe bottom interior of the tub, a support member engaged with the saidtop surface and including an upper surface inclined with respect to theplane of the said bottom surface for supporting the buttocks of theperson, a pair of uprights mounted on said top surface and having attheir upper ends headrest members, a hook member mounted on each saidheadrest member and including a curved portion for engaging in thearmpit of the person to confine the person on the device and meanssupported jointly by said headrest members and extending between saidheadrest members for supporting the head, neck and shoulder of theperson.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 and including means pivotally mountingeach curved hook member to its associated headrest member to allowrotation of the said hook member about a vertical axis at a right angleto the longitudinal axis of the said headrest member.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 in which each curved hook member isarticulated and releasably lockable in a closed position.

1. A device for supporting a person in a bathtub, comprised of a basemember including a top surface and a bottom surface for engagement withthe bottom interior of the tub, a support member engaged with the saidtop surface and including an upper surface inclined with respect to theplane of the said bottom surface for supporting the buttocks of theperson, a pair of uprights mounted on said top surface and having attheir upper ends headrest members, a hook member mounted on each saidheadrest member and including a curved portion for engaging in thearmpit of the person to confine the person on the device and meanssupported jointly by said headrest members and extending between saidheadrest members for supporting the head, neck and shoulder of theperson.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 and including means pivotallymounting each curved hook member to its associated headrest member toallow rotation of the said hook member about a vertical axis at a rightangle to the longitudinal axis of the said headrest member.
 3. A deviceas defined in claim 2 in which each curved hook member is articulatedand releasably lockable in a closed position.